Hobgoblin with upgraded wheels

I'm coming from a Gary Fisher Roscoe, which I love, but would like to move to a 29'er bike. I love the quick handling of my Roscoe since its a 26.

I demoed a Trek Fuel EX 8 yesterday, but it feel really slooooow in its handling. Rolled nice, but slow handling. I'm wondering if anyone has bought a Hobgoblin and used its cheap price to upgrade to a really nice and light set of wheels?

I figure 500$ for wheels on top of the price of bike would be a decent package. Also, I rode a 15.5" in the Fuel that fit me well. Would the small Hobgoblin probably fit similar?

Hobgoblin with upgraded wheels

If buying and planning to upgrade right away, why not just get the Hobgoblin XO

Hobgoblin + new $500 wheels = $2250
Hobgoblin XO = $3000

Sure it is $750 more but all the components are pretty much top of the line.

Just a thought.

This is straight on. It would cost more than 1300 to buy all the stuff that is better on the XO version and put it on the basic hobgoblin. They are both great bikes and raved about, so truthfully it's up to you OP.

If you're coming to a 29er looking for a playful feel, the small might be a better choice (but no 29er will feel playful when compared directly to a 26er). The geometry specs on the Trek and Hobgoblin are fairly similar, looks like the HG may have a slightly longer top tube by about half an inch. Wheelbase and chainstay are about equal, so they should have a similar "feel", though I think the ride would be different.

My wife has the 17 inch HG, and I have the 15.5 - we are about the same height). For straight up XC cruising - the 17 is great. Solid, stable and maneuverable, and it will go anywhere you care to take it. But it won't feel like a 26.

I'm more of an aggressive rider, and I tend to shift my weight around a lot when riding technical things, and I prefer the small frame. Its not playful by 26" standards, but for a 29er its right in there.

As mentioned, if you're really concerned about a higher end wheelset - why not just to the whole bike and get the XO version?

If you're coming to a 29er looking for a playful feel, the small might be a better choice (but no 29er will feel playful when compared directly to a 26er). The geometry specs on the Trek and Hobgoblin are fairly similar, looks like the HG may have a slightly longer top tube by about half an inch. Wheelbase and chainstay are about equal, so they should have a similar "feel", though I think the ride would be different.

My wife has the 17 inch HG, and I have the 15.5 - we are about the same height). For straight up XC cruising - the 17 is great. Solid, stable and maneuverable, and it will go anywhere you care to take it. But it won't feel like a 26.

I'm more of an aggressive rider, and I tend to shift my weight around a lot when riding technical things, and I prefer the small frame. Its not playful by 26" standards, but for a 29er its right in there.

As mentioned, if you're really concerned about a higher end wheelset - why not just to the whole bike and get the XO version?

Thanks for the info. I'm 5'8" as well. Handling is really important to me since most of my riding is on tight twisting singletrack. The XO looks tempting. Its tough to talk myself into spending 3G's on a bike that doesn't have many direct comparisons with other mid to high end bikes.

For example, I would like to see a shootout between the Hobgoblin XO, Trek Superfly 100, Specialized Epic Comp, and Niner Jet 9. Most of the feedback is either in single bike tests or reviews from people who have just bought their first "serious" bike.

The Hobgoblin is almost identical to the Giant Anthem! Very similar suspension set up but the Hobgoblin has better components and has a 5 year warranty! I have the HOBGOB XO! Its sweet and I test rode the Giant and superfly 100. The trek just didn't fit me right so I tried the Anthem and the set up is very similar to the Hobgoblin but what I noticed is the Hobgoblin has less pedal bob when climbing. Plus you get all XO and Carbon cock pit! Good Luck.